Increasing Food Security & Physical Activity
- HAB45’s 4P’s Initiative (Pledge the Practice, Pass the Policy) supported family childcare environments as they made changes to their policies and environments to improve nutritious food and physical activity opportunities. This year, 10 new wellness policies with mini-grant funds will benefit 73 children under the age of 5.
- HAB45 and CocoKids worked together to deliver virtual nutrition and physical activity trainings for 19 early childhood education sites. The sites also received technical assistance for policy, systems, and environmental changes for a lasting impact.
- HAB45 and Rising Juntos continued to work with the City of Richmond and monitor planned improvements at Boorman Park in Richmond. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2024, making Richmond families’ dream park design come to life!
Prioritizing Housing Security
- HAB45 participated in successful advocacy efforts for local tenant protection policies in Concord and Antioch by educating policymakers about the importance of housing security for the health and development of young children. These policies will prevent homelessness and keep families housed.
- HAB45 continues to be a hub for up-to-date housing information for early childhood and health partners with advocacy updates, technical assistance, and regional convenings. Over 30 organizations were connected to housing justice advocacy opportunities this year through HAB45.
Deepening Partnerships for Equitable Communities
- HAB45 partnered with CocoKids and Sustainable Contra Costa to offer a virtual air quality training for 19 childcare providers, and funded 14 Climate-Friendly Childcare mini-grants for those who adopted policies to improve air quality and climate resilience for the children in their care.
- In April, 35 Leadership Council members attended a virtual convening to learn more about local climate solutions. Our partners are eager to connect with efforts to build community resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and identify funding sources to support community-led climate justice work. HAB45 will continue to pursue opportunities in this area in 2024!
- HAB45 is committed to addressing structural racism and improving racial justice for Contra Costa families. In August, HAB45 provided 13 sponsorships for local community members, birth workers, and public health stakeholders to attend the CA Black Birth Equity Summit.
- At November’s convening focused on perinatal equity, 32 Leadership Council members learned about local health disparities. We look forward to strengthening ties with the birth justice movement as we continue to address root causes through policy and systems change.
- Throughout 2023, HAB45 represented the needs of young children in regional collaboratives focused on food security, breastfeeding, air quality, park equity, climate justice, oral health, early childhood education, perinatal equity, and strengthening the local safety net.